India Vegan Food Adventure

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Taste the flavours of India on a vegan-only adventure to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra

The sights in India’s famous Golden Triangle are one thing, but golden doesn’t even begin to describe the richness of epicurean experiences in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Join this special vegan-themed India food adventure and see why this corner of the subcontinent is one of the greatest places in the world for vegan travellers. With the input of not only the locals but also six knowledgeable vegan influencers from Canada, UK and Australia – who joined us on the road on a pilot trip to help us fine-tune this brand new adventure – this itinerary ventures far beyond the masala dosas and veggie samosas of the high street cafes. It’s a chance to discover a side of Indian cooking you never knew existed, and with vegan cuisine in its finest hour across the globe, now is the time to experience it.

With the expertise and enthusiasm of six vegan influencers, and our usual insider knowledge thanks to the locals, this trip is the perfect combination of classic and contemporary

Tour historic Old Delhi by rickshaw and taste the delectable vegan food found in the backstreets. Snack on vegetable samosas and savour the legendary fresh-baked, shallow-fried paratha flatbread of the Chandni Chowk precinct

For lunch in Agra, visit the courageous people at Sheroes Hangout, a beautiful café and important social enterprise that employs and supports female acid attack victims

Enjoy a stay in one of Rajasthan’s finest heritage hotels, Castle Kanota. These opulent grounds are the perfect place in which to escape the hustle and bustle of the city – and enjoy a sumptuous Rajasthani vegan feast while you’re at it

Try your hand at authentic vegan cuisine in cooking classes with local experts – in locations as novel as a grand old Indian haveli

Is this trip right for you?

Veganism is about more than just food, of course. It’s an entire movement, a shift away from animal products generally. Being the sustainable-minded bunch we are, we’d love to offer trips that visit vegan hotels and use nothing but vegan alternatives to products such as leather, but the logistics of doing so make it impossible at this stage. Perhaps one day! For now, the focus of our vegan trips is of the epicurean variety – quality, local, authentic vegan cuisine done by those who do it best, in some of the most incredible places around the world.

We’ve put a lot of research into putting this new trip together. However, that doesn’t mean it will run perfectly. In fact, because it’s a new itinerary we expect a few bumps along the way. In our experience, a little detour here and there can make things more interesting if you approach the adventure with flexibility and an open mind.

Anyone who has an interest in local vegan cuisine is welcome on our Vegan Food Adventures.

Old Delhi can be very busy and crowded. While it’s an exciting place to see local life moving around you, be aware that on the walking tour you’ll need to navigate through people, tight spaces and walkways.

Rajasthan can reach extremely high temperatures in the summer. While we aim to do our walking tours early in the morning when it’s cooler, remember to keep hydrated and to bring a hat, sunscreen, a long-sleeved shirt and anything else that will protect you from the sun.

We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees.

Gallery

Itinerary

Namaste! Welcome to India. Delhi is an excitingly chaotic capital city, filled with enchanting historic sites, museums and galleries, shops and endless bazaars. There’s plenty to see, do, and of course eat. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in the hotel lobby. Afterwards, head out for a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers. You'll enjoy a traditional vegan dinner in Suruchi Vegetarian Restaurant. Their menu spans Rajasthani, Punjai, South Indian and Gujurati cuisines, and is a great first taste of what India has to offer.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Delhi - Gandhi's Delhi Urban Adventure - INR2700

Meals Included

Dinner

Special Information

We'll be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at today's welcome meeting, so please ensure you bring these details to provide to your leader. If you're going to be late, please inform hotel reception.

Head to the old city for a local breakfast. First you'll walk over to the Jama Mosque which towers over Old Delhi. The magnificent facade of Jama Masjid stands as the reminder of Mughal architecture. Built from red sandstone and white marble, the edifice dominates the skyline of the busy Chawri Bazar in central Delhi and is considered the largest mosque in India. Breakfast is at Parathewali Gali, a narrow street in the Chandni Chowk area of Delhi, noted for its series of shops selling paratha, a traditional baked and shallow-fried Indian flatbread. There will also be samples of vegan samosas along the way. We finish the walk with the visit to the Sikh temple where we can have a taste some of the delicious offerings at the local Langar (Community Kitchen). In the evening, we visit a local Indian home for first-hand insight into local ingredients and North Indian cooking traditions.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Delhi - Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour

Delhi - Jama Masjid

Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)

Delhi - Home-Cooked Delhi Urban Adventure

Meals Included

Today we will drive to the ‘Pink City’ – Jaipur. This town was designed by royalty and has delighted visitors for centuries, with its pink-hued buildings, lively bazaars, and a rainbow of bright colours dancing along the lively streets. Enjoy lunch at Rawat Kachori, a vegan-friendly local establishment. After lunch we will take a walking tour of this pulsing city, to check out the many different fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, pickles, tea and spices on display at the markets, and get an understanding of the nuances of the food we will be using tonight. This evening we partake in a cooking class and enjoy dinner in a haveli (mansion). Relax, sit back and enjoy your own authentic vegan Rajasthani fare.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Jaipur - Walking & market tour

Meals Included

A great option today is an early-morning hot air balloon experience – often a highlight of visiting Jaipur. Ballooning can be done over Jaipur between September and June. Otherwise, after breakfast we travel out to the old capital of Amber and explore the hilltop fort complex, Amber Fort. Set in stunning surroundings on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, this opulent palace is the legacy of a fallen empire and a superb example of Rajput architecture. We break for lunch in a local vegetarian and vegan restaurant. In the evening there will be the option of catching a Bollywood film at a local cinema. Your leader will take you out for a local meal for dinner tonight.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Jaipur - Amber Fort

Optional Activities

Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD260

Jaipur - Bollywood Movie at Raj Mandir Cinema - INR400

Meals Included

After breakfast, drive to beautiful Castle Kanota and enjoy a local lunch here. Today is a day of leisure, and it's not a bad place for it, being one of the finest heritage hotels in the Jaipur area. It's also a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, with beautiful and atmospheric grounds to explore. Perhaps run your own meditation or yoga session in the castle gardens, or find a spot of shade and relax with a book while taking in the ambience of the castle. There is a small pool here too, for those keen to cool off. Tonight's dinner will be a chance to taste Rajasthani delights such as vegan kair sangri (a combination of beans and berries), gatte ki curry (spiced gram flour dumplings in a fragrant turmeric gravy), sev tamatar (a tomato-based curry with cumin and ginger, topped with crispy chickpea noodles), baajre ki roti (pearl millet flatbread), fali ki sabzi (cluster beans and potatoes with caramelised onion) and more.

Accommodation

Heritage Property (1 night)

Meals Included

After breakfast we travel to Agra. Famed for the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, Agra is a city with a fascinating history, rich in Mughal heritage, lush gardens and exquisite buildings and temples. Agra is also home to one of the finest looking forts in India, Agra Fort, which we will also visit. Enter the dark red sandstone stronghold – part fortress, part palace and part prison – and search through throne rooms and tiny but incredibly decorated mosques. We will have a packed lunch en route to Agra. In the evening we get a glimpse of the famed Mughlai cuisine and we learn to make the food of the kings, vegan-style of course.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Agra - Agra Fort

Meals Included

Early this morning, before the crowds gather, visit the iconic Taj Mahal. Best known as a monument to love and loss, this 17th century white marble masterpiece is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture, surrounded by trimmed English gardens. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz. For lunch we visit Sheroes Hangout, a vegetarian & vegan cafe. This beautiful cafe is a one of kind social enterprise providing employment and opportunities for women who were the victims of acid attacks. Tonight in Delhi is our final meal together as a group – a chance reminisce on the past week and dig into our farewell dinner.

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Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.

2. The main dome on the Taj Mahal will undergo mud pack therapy due to begin in May 2018. It is likely the entire dome will be obscured by iron scaffolding. Portions of the white marble façade will be covered in mud and plastic sheets during the cleaning process. The restorations will be carried out in sections and the work on the dome is expected to last one year.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.